Scouting
"On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and obey the Scout law; to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight."
In a day when many recognize no absolute standard of right and wrong, the Boy Scout organization continues to teach values that make for a healthy society. Since 1952 Calvary has sponsored one of the best scouting programs in Nassau County. That is due to the excellent work of scoutmasters, assistants, den mothers, and parents. Our Scout Troop 157 ranks first in Nassau County in Eagle Scout awards. In 1999 the 51st young man became an Eagle Scout, an honor achieved by only 1% of all scouts in the country. To complete our scouting program the Explorer Post was started in 1956.
Troop 157 has won the Scout Spirit Award for Rough Rider District an unprecedented seven times. No other troop in the history of this district has won more awards. The troop displays its skills at East Meadow Pride Day in Speno Park. It always marches in the annual Memorial Day parade and places American flags at the veterans' graves. For the last 14 years, Troop 157 has been number one or two in the district for advancement.
Among the highlights of troop field activities are:
Summer camp
Troop 157 set several records for merit badges earned in a two-week period.
Delaware River canoe trip
The scouts learn how to handle a canoe in "white water" rapids.
Philmont, New Mexico trip
Backpacking through the mountains instills self-reliance. The boys have to carry everything they need to exist in the wild.
Operation Igloo at Onteora Scout Reservation, Catskills
Training for winter survival is mixed with winter fun.
Besides learning all kinds of helpful skills, our scouts have always been at the beck and call of anyone who needs help in the church and community. They have cleaned up backyards and parking lots, washed windows, carried and set up tables, helped to install our church sign, erected a barrier to protect a gas main, shoveled snow, donated to our food pantry, etc. The list is almost endless.
For a long time in the first part of our history the majority of adult leaders and boys in our scouting program were connected with Calvary. This is no longer the case. But the caliber of the workers and the training the scouts receive continue to be top grade.
Our Brownies, Girl Scouts, and Intermediate Girl Scouts began in the mid-'50s. In 1963 the Camp Fire Girls came along. For some time we also had a Blue Birds group. Again, we were fortunate to have dedicated leaders who gave freely of their time. Among other things, they taught the girls crafts, helped them to advance in rank, and provided social and camping experiences to enrich their lives and to make them better citizens.